Former astronaut who attacked 'love rival' pleads guilty

A former US astronaut who drove across the country to confront a suspected rival in a love triangle has pleaded guilty to minor charges, winning a two-day jail term, officials said.

Former NASA Astronaut Lisa NowakPhoto: AP

By Our Foreign Staff

7:00AM GMT 11 Nov 2009

Under her plea deal, charges of assault and kidnapping were dropped against Lisa Nowak, 46, after she admitted burglary and battery. She was also sentenced to a year's probation, and 50 hours' community service.

The judge told her to write a letter of apology to Colleen Shipman, an US Air Force captain whom Nowak believed was her rival for the affections of NASA shuttle pilot Bill Oefelein. Capt Shipman and Oefelein later married.

Nowak, a mother of three, had initially been accused of pepper-spraying Capt Shipman after driving 900 miles from Houston, Texas, to Orlando International Airport to confront her.

With tears in her eyes, Capt Shipman told the hearing she was sure "100 percent that Lisa Nowak came here to kill me. It was only by the grace of God, and some quick footwork, that saved my life.

"It was in her eyes, a blood-chilling expression of unlimited rage and glee," she added.

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Nowak, who allegedly wore adult diapers during her cross-country trip so she would not have to make bathroom breaks, was dismissed from the astronaut corps in 2007 after her arrest.

The judge asked Nowak to publicly apologise to Capt Shipman in the courtroom. "I am sincerely sorry for causing fear and misunderstanding and all of this intense public exposure that you have suffered," Nowak said.

Nowak, who has flown aboard NASA's space shuttle Discovery, was told by the Florida court to write her apology within the next 10 days.

Capt Shipman said she lost her job because of health problems stemming from the attack. She said she still suffers from nightmares, high blood pressure, chest pain and dizzy spells, and that she barricades her doors and has purchased weapons for personal protection.

Judge Marc Lubet took into account that it was Nowak's first offense and granted leniency. He ordered Nowak to spend two days in jail but gave her credit for time already spent there after her arrest, making the sentence moot.